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I’m an Electric Lampshade is a spirited docu-musical centered around a retired accountant’s path into a larger-than-life performer. The uncharacteristically deep-voiced late bloomer travels across the world reassessing life and his newfound talents.
By AJ Jean
See the feature-length documentary film I’m An Electric Lampshade on September 25 @9:30PM at Cinema Village (22 East 12th Street) as part of New York City’s 10th Annual Winter Film Awards International Film Festival. Tickets now on sale!
Directed and written by John Clayton Doyle, I’m an Electric Lampshade is a coming-of-age story for a man already of age, Doug McCorkle. The pleasant accountant announces his retirement to pursue a new journey as a performer. What follows is a musical journey spanning across three continents and different genres.
The 60 year-old, former white-collar worker first finds himself in the Philippines to attend a school for performers called Sin Andre’s. It is at Sin Andre’s where Doug improves his talents and initiates a transformation into a full-fledged act. From this point, the film’s tone shifts notably.
To its credit, I’m an Electric Lampshade leans into a “documentary-narrative hybrid” approach. It neatly blends a participatory filming style into a punchy narrative. In a The Office meets Fame mix, Doug’s world has the viewer constantly guessing what is real versus what isn’t – turning out to be one of the film’s strengths. As put by John, this is a deliberate characteristic as all of the scripted scenes in the film are reflective or parallel to real life events actually experienced by Doug.
The narrative continues to highlight Doug’s growth and fast-moving entry into fame. After being discovered by talent agents at Sin Andre, his world opens up once more. His trajectory skyrockets from singing catchy yogurt commercials (“It’s only 50-50”) to stadium sized anthems. And yet, even in his senior age, the performer goes through the same motions as a younger act would. Doug finds himself at a crossroads – navigating his newfound fame, his marriage and a changing future.
Those challenges are portrayed through intelligent editing and intense dream sequences. Director John Clayton Doyle uses his background in dance and casting to great effect, capturing bombastic performances. Colors and choreography from Doug and his back-up dancers only heighten a sense of tension.
As highlighted previously, the soundtrack plays an important role too, but more so in the latter half of the film. Inspired by the likes of the Talking Heads and Michael Jackson, Doug’s performances take a confident feel. Wardrobe and coordinated dances are littered throughout, with the attached songs being either original (of which the title is based off on) or modified covers of popular numbers that fit his uniquely low register. The soundtrack, like Doug, is filled with contrasts and aptly mimics his new challenges. A stripped down version of Lily Allen’s, “The Fear” is belted by Doug. When asked about its inclusion, John responded, “Because there’s a lot of irony in that song. Irony as there is in most of her music. And I just thought that the fear, the idea of the fear was a much more relevant idea to Doug’s story in terms of going into this world that’s unfamiliar, having self doubt, and not being sure you know how people would respond or react to him. I just felt like that would be a much more authentic song to cover.”
I’m an Electric Lampshade is a significant showing that proves new interests can continue to be pursued no matter the age. All while touching on themes around corporate environments, relationships and the willingness to dream again. Its presence at this year’s Winter Film Awards International Film Festival marks its New York City debut.
AJ Jean
A lifelong media enthusiast, AJ Jean has worked on a number of TV (BET and Fuse) and local theater projects as a production assistant. During his free time, he enjoys long distance running and riding motorcycles. AJ currently resides in New York City and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Brooklyn College.
About Winter Film Awards
New York City’s 10th Annual Winter Film Awards International Film Festival runs September 23-October 2 2021. Check out a jam-packed lineup of 91 fantastic films in all genres from 28 countries, including shorts, features, Animation, Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Horror, Documentary and Music Video. Hollywood might ignore women and people of color, but Winter Film Awards celebrates everyone!
Winter Film Awards is an all volunteer, minority- and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 in New York City by a group of filmmakers and enthusiasts. The program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the NY State Council on the Arts.
